At SCO summit, India reiterates opposition to China's Belt and Road Initiative
India on Tuesday once again refused to endorse China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), becoming the only country in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) not to support the project. A declaration issued at the end of an India-hosted virtual summit of the grouping said Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their support to the BRI.
It said the member states also considered it important to ensure the implementation of the SCO Economic Development Strategy 2030 adopted by «interested member states» and projects aimed at promoting cooperation in areas of digital economy, high technology and modernisation of existing international routes for road and rail transport. In his opening remarks at the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the need for boosting connectivity, but asserted that it is essential to respect the basic principles of the SCO charter, especially the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states, while making such efforts.
The summit, chaired by Modi, was joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders of the grouping. «Strong connectivity is crucial for the progress of any region.
Better connectivity not only enhances mutual trade but also fosters mutual trust,» he said. «However, in these efforts, it is essential to uphold the basic principles of the SCO charter, particularly respecting the sovereignty and regional integrity of the member states,» Modi said.
On earlier occasions also, India did not endorse the BRI at the SCO while other members supported the project. «Reaffirming their support for China's 'Belt and Road Initiative' (BRI)
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